Dhoni was part of the Sourav Ganguly-led Indian team that toured Pakistan in 2006.

Although it was difficult to break into a team with extraordinary names, the then 23-year-old Jharkhand cricketer had done enough to capture everyone’s attention with his unique talent. (Photo: BCCI)

Kolkata: As he initially struggled to get going after his selection in the national team, MS Dhoni first made the headlines when smashed a sparkling ton of 148 against arch-rivals Pakistan during their tour of India in 2005.

Although it was difficult to break into a team with extraordinary names, the then 23-year-old Jharkhand cricketer had done enough to capture everyone’s attention with his unique talent.

When Sourav Ganguly-led India toured Pakistan a year later for the Test and ODI series, Dhoni continued his fine form that also caught the eye of former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf.

Speaking at the Tollygunge Club in Kolkata, Ganguly recalled an incident when Musharraf questioned the former India captain about how he unearthed Dhoni's talent: “I still remember Pervez Musharraf asking me from where did you get him?”

Dada then presented a hilarious reply to him, saying the wicket-keeper batsman was picked from the Wagah border.

‘I told him he (Dhoni) was walking near the Wagah border and we pulled him in,” Ganguly responded.

Commenting on World Cup-winning former Indian skipper MS Dhoni, whose form is on the wane of late, Ganguly said he still has the power in him to hit big sixes and should be allowed to go on a high.

"He's another champion. Fantastic career for 12-13 years since winning the World Twenty 20. Just like everyone else he has to perform. There's one must in life: whatever job you do, wherever you are, whatever age you have, how much experience you have you have to keep performing at the top level otherwise someone else will take your place," he said.

"I wish him all the luck because we want champions to go on a high. I still feel he can hit the ball in the stands. He's a phenomenal cricketer," Ganguly said.